A/N: Not real sure how you all like this, but I like it, so I'm moving on. Here you go!

The Nerve

"What a nerve!" I stomped down the hall toward Ancient Runes. I couldn't believe what Wood had just done to me! "He kissed me, right there in front of everyone! Big, stupid git must have taken another Bludger to the head!"

I raced into the classroom just in the nick of time. Professor Osiris began his lecture on ancient times, the same as every beginning of the year lecture. I doodled in the margins of my parchment, trying to think of what kind of curse I'd put Wood under when I saw him.

You were kind of asking for it, mate! a voice inside my head said. You had kissed him first.

Yeah, but that was just a friendly thank-you kiss, nothing more! I defensively reminded myself.

Are you sure? the voice questioned cheekily. I think it could have meant more.

Bullocks. Wood and I are just close is all. I started to copy down notes. I've got to work now, so go away.

No response came, so I continued to write the words Professor Osiris had written on the board. They were exquisitely boring.

The class ended and I walked down the corridor. I glanced at my notes. Then I did a double take. I had written Wood's name all over my parchment and all over my notes. I sighed and went to find someone from the class.

"Ginger! Wait up, mate!" A very familiar, very masculine voice said behind me.

I glanced around quickly, just to make sure. Yes, it was Wood. I sped up and ignored his shouting pleas.

"GINGER! Wait up!" Wood's voice was strained in confusion.

I shook my head, tears slowly welling up in my eyes. I rounded a corner and continued down the corridor to the stairs.

"Bensington, slow down," Wood's voice was angry and hurt, his feet stomped down the hall after my own running ones.

"NO!" I yelled, jogging slowly down the steps. I glanced behind me again, unwanted tears clouding my vision. "Just leave me alone, Wood. I don't want to see you right now." I got off of the staircase and continued down yet another corridor.

"I don't care, Bensington. I think we need to have a talk." Wood's feet stopped.

I turned around slightly. Wood was standing in the middle of the staircase, looking angrily at me. The faculty, students, even the Dementors could see the electric sparks shooting between Wood and me.

"You stay there, Bensington…"

"NO!" I cut him off.

"Well then I guess we can talk about in the middle of the hallway." Wood leaned against the stone railing, looking quite lazy. He had me and he knew it.

"Fine, then." I walked back up to him, stomping my feet all the way, just so everyone would know I didn't want to do as he wanted. I stood on the step below the one he was resting on. "What would you like to discuss, Wood?"

"Sit." He indicated to the step and began to seat himself.

"I think not." I glanced around. "If you would like to discuss something with me, meet me on the Quidditch pitch in ten minutes. If you don't, then leave me alone."

"Right then." Wood stood up, grinning from ear to ear. "See you in ten minutes then."

I stomped off to the common room, not at all happy. Wood could be such a complete ass at times! And what's more, he knew it! I raced in to my dormitory and dropped my books onto my bed.

"What's the matter, mate?" Cho looked up from some homework on her bed.

"Wood and I are have…communication problems." I shook my head peevishly. "He's such an arrogant prat." I threw my robe onto the floor in aggravation.

"Is that it then?" Cho looked amused. "You two are like an old married couple. Friends one minute, fighting the next."

"Well, you've got to take what you can get, right mate?" I said this sarcastically.

"I guess." Cho went back to her homework.

"I'll be going then. I've got to meet him on the Quidditch pitch soon." I straightened my uniform in front of the mirror.

"Are you going like that, then?" Cho looked at me questioningly.

"I've got a class in twenty minutes; how am I supposed to dress?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"What class is it then?" Cho sat on her knees on the bed and stretched her arms.

"Uh…" I dug through my things. "Herbiology."

Cho shrugged. "It'll probably just be a refresher course. Just skip it." She stood and walked over to my amoiré. She dug into it and pulled out my favorite jeans and a skimpy top. "And wear this."

"Oh, no!" I raised my hands in repulsion. "I'm not wearing that to argue."

"It'll be a good defensive mechanism." Cho held it out to me.

I thought for a moment then gave in. "Alright." I accepted the items. "But I'm going to wear a zip-up sweater over it."

Cho threw up her hands. "That defeats the whole purpose!" She plopped back onto her bed as I began to change.

"Not really, because if I start losing-POW! I get the sweater off, he's taken by surprise, stops listening and I win." I pulled the shirt over my head and zipped up my sweater. "Got to go, love." I blew Cho an air kiss. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck." Cho waved and went back to work.

I ran out of the dorm room and peeked down both sides of the corridor outside the common room. No one was there. I ran to the stairs and peeked down them. Nothing. I continued down to the entrance hall that way. As I made my way through the hall, I watched for any sign of teachers or prefects.

I got out of the castle and sighed. Almost home free. I just had to make it to the Quidditch pitch without getting caught. I ran quickly, ducking behind trees and bushes. Phew, made it! I thought as I ducked inside.

I entered the pitch and scanned around. He was sitting near the entrance, his robe off, and sleeves rolled up. I took a deep breath and walked toward him as calmly as I could.

Wood caught sight of me and sat up straight. He looked me over; I don't know if it was to size me up for an argument or just to look. He grinned slightly and stood.

"Bensington, I thought you had chickened out."

"Fat chance," I said icily, flicking my auburn hair into the wind.

"What is with the wardrobe change?" He glanced over my tight jeans and zip-up sweater.

"I'm skipping Herbiology and going back to my dorm…I didn't see the point in staying in my uniform just to argue with you." I sat down on the bleacher sideways.

"Why would we be arguing?" Wood sat down the same way, only facing me. "I have other things in mind."

"I don't doubt it, Wood, but this meeting was arranged to discuss whatever is on your mind. As soon as we're done here, I'm going back to my room." I crossed my arms across my chest defiantly and sat there staring him in the eyes.

He sighed. "Fine then." Wood cleared his throat. "Why did you run from me after class today?"

I rolled my eyes. "Temporary neurosis brought on by the possibility of my best mate being in love with me. Is that it, then?" I stood up.

"Hang on!" Wood stood, too and looked me straight in the eye. "What's wrong with me being in love with you, then?"

I stared at him. "Wood! Honestly!" I shook my head, sending my hair flying in every direction. "We're best mates! It would be too weird for us to start a relationship."

"Sometimes best mates are the perfect lovers," Wood said in a somewhat pleading manner.

"Yea, sometimes. Not this time, Wood." I began to walk away.

"Why not?" Wood grabbed my arm and whirled me around. "Is it the kiss?" I didn't answer. "It is, isn't it? God damn it, Ginger! I thought there was something there, and…" He looked at me in pain. "And there wasn't?"

I shook my head. "It literally was a thank-you kiss, Wood. Not an I-Love-You kiss. Sorry." I felt dreadful.

"And I…I kissed you because I thought you meant to do it, but you were too afraid. You never felt anything?! I can't believe I kissed my best mate." Wood collapsed onto the bleachers.

"I'm so sorry, Wood. I feel awful. I really am." I sat down beside him.

"I know. I'm just overacting, I think. I just need a moment." Wood inhaled sharply and glanced up at me. "Pretty pathetic, aren't I?"

"It's all right!" I grinned at him. "I'd probably feel the same." I put my hand on his arm. "You okay, then, mate?" Wood glanced at my hand and I pulled it away as if I had been burned. My grin faded. "I'm so sorry."

Wood reached out for my arm. "I don't mind. It'll take me a while to get used to being friends with you again." He smiled.

I grinned back. "Yea, me too." I noticed how hot it was getting and looked out at the setting sun. "How can it be so hot at sundown?" I began to unzip my sweater. I completely forgot about the shirt I had on underneath it as I stood up to remove it.

Wood looked toward the sun. "I don't know." He glanced back at me and did a double take. "Wow. What's with the outfit now?"

"Uh?" I looked down and noticed the shirt. "Oh!" I re-zipped the shirt and turned red. "Cho made me wear it."

"Uh-huh, sure. And you wore it to argue with me?" He grinned devilishly.

"It was a secret weapon, in case I started to lose." I stuck my tongue out.

"Don't stick it out unless you intend on using it," Wood said lazily.

I turned even redder. Then I cleared my throat. "Do they still keep the extra brooms out for people to practice on?"

Wood nodded. "Yeah, why?"

I looked at him cheekily. "Wanna race?"

"What do I get if I win?" Wood stood up and stretched.

"The satisfaction of beating me?" I batted my eyes innocently.

"I don't think so." Wood looked thoughtful. "How about I get to kiss you again and you can't get mad?"

"Wood, really! Didn't we just fight about this?" I looked absolutely disgusted.

Wood shrugged. "I don't care. We're both mature. What's the big deal? Besides, you always used to beat me before."

I nodded my head. "True, but it looks like it's gonna rain." I pointed to the clouds.

He didn't look away from me. "So? You could beat me in the rain, too."

I looked at him. "Alright, you're on. But if I win, we drop this whole 'us together' thing. Deal?"

"Alright, deal." We shook hands and Wood led me to the extra broomsticks.

We each grabbed one and headed for the nearest end of the pitch. A slow drizzle began to fall.

"First person to the other end and back again wins," Wood said.

"Fine, then." I got onto the broom. "Be prepared to lose."

Wood scoffed as he climbed onto his. "Dream on, beautiful."

"Haha." I looked to the end of the pitch. "One."

"Two," Wood said, easing forward on the broom.

"Three!" We screamed in unison.

We both shot forward, flying straight and fast. The rain pelted my face and got into my eyes. It hurt, but I was too focused on beating Wood to care.

I beat him to the end of the pitch by a millisecond. I'd have to step it up a bit if I wanted to win, which I did. I wanted this whole thing to be over.

We were only about two yards from the end we started at when Wood edged ahead of me. I glanced at him. He was only three inches ahead of me, but still enough to win.

I tried to catch up, but it was no good. Wood had won…by a measly three inches. He let out a victory yell and flew a victory lap. I climbed off my broom gloomily and walked over to the closet to put it away.

The rain was pounding down harder when I stepped back out. Wood was still celebrating and flying around. I usually don't chicken out of bets, but I needed to get out of there. I started for the exit.

"Bensington, where do you think you're going?" Wood jumped off of the broom and tackled me to the ground.

"Get off of me now!" I yelled rolling over.

"Sorry, mate, but you were leaving." Wood grinned at me from under a mud-covered face.

I laughed. "You look ridiculous."

"Don't look so non-ridiculous yourself." Wood wiped a piece of mud off of my face.

I laughed harder. "Oy, mate. This ground is killing my back. Let's head back in before we catch pneumonia." I looked at Wood.

He was grinning really eerily and sexily. "Did you let me win?"

"NO!" I sat up on my elbows. "What on earth gave you that idea?"

"You used to beat me before." Wood leaned back on one elbow and spread his legs out from his body. He examined his mud-stained, wet uniform.

"That doesn't mean that I let you win!" I looked at him grumpily. "I'm just out of practice."

"Sure." Wood laughed.

"Let's go back in!" I whined again. I stood up and looked down at him.

"Fine." Wood stood up as well and looked down at me. Then he pulled me close to him and pushed a hair off of my face.

"Wood, I don't wanna do this now. Can I give you a rain check, mate?" I grinned at him. "No pun intended."

Wood stroked my face some more and leaned in a little. His lips were only inches from mine. "I don't see why not," he whispered softly. I could feel his lips move as he said it. "We've got a whole year."

Then Wood grabbed my hand. He pulled me out of the pitch and in the direction of the castle. The rain kept getting stronger.

Wood and I entered the castle. We shook the water off of us and looked up. Students were just starting to head to the Great Hall for dinner. They looked at us and a big "ooh," went through the group.

Wood and I looked at each other and laughed. When we glanced back at the crowd, Flint was standing there.

"Nice to see that some things never change, Ginger." He shook his head and entered the hall.

"Flint, you nasty little git…" I started after him, thundering mad.

Wood grabbed my arm and whirled me into him. "Let him alone. Just ignore him." He held me by the upper arms. "Are we still going to Hogsmeade on Saturday?"

I sighed inwardly and counted to ten. "Sure, mate. Meet you outside the main doors at noon, alright?"

"Yea, that's fine." Wood let me go. "One more day until then. Don't skip anymore classes, Ginger. See you tomorrow morning, then." Wood kissed my cheek and walked inside.

"That counted as the bet you know!" I yelled after him.

"Yeah, I know." He turned around and walked backwards toward the hall. "But you'll want to kiss me as well next time it comes up." Wood winked and left the entrance hall.

"What a nerve!" I stomped up the stairs to the common room, soaking wet and in disbelief. "He said I'd want him to kiss me, right there in front of everyone! Big, stupid git most have taken another Bludger to the head!"

A/N: I hope that wasn't too gushy, but I'm trying to make Ginger very against it. I think Oliver might be a little out of character, but I think he's one of those controlling people who wants whatever they want whenever they want it. Oh, well, he's still hot. faints dead away………two hours later Sorry about that, thinking of Wood. R/R, please and thank you! Nelli